Free Printable: Low Carb & Keto Food List

  • My Rutabaga Fries Make The Best Keto French Fries
  • Ingredients & Substitutions
  • How I Cut Rutabaga For Keto Fries
  • How To Cook Keto French Fries
  • My Tips For Peeling & Cutting
  • Keto French Fries (Rutabaga Fries) Recipe card
  • Serving Ideas
  • Recipe Reviews

My Rutabaga Fries Make The Best Keto French Fries

Maya with a bowl of rutabaga fries. - 1

Finding keto fries can be tough. Potatoes are certainly out of the question. And while I absolutely love zucchini fries and the texture of roasted rutabaga , I was missing the more traditional texture and form factor of regular potato ones. Enter these rutabaga fries! Here’s why they work so well:

  • The texture is everything – These are soft on the inside, crispy on the outside, and just the right thickness to feel like the real thing. The flavor is different — they taste like rutabaga! The sweetness reminds me of sweet potato fries , but they’re still less sweet than jicama fries .
  • Clean ingredients – No mystery oils or starchy fillers here. Just a real veggie, healthy fat, and simple seasoning. This is the cleaner, homemade kind of keto fast food .
  • Low carb and gluten free – These crispy keto french fries satisfy my cravings with just 6g net carbs per serving. Compare that to over 50 grams for regular ones!
  • Pairs with literally any main – I’ve served these with burgers , keto nuggets , even steak , and yes, they’re amazing dipped in keto ketchup . Or Big Mac sauce . Or anything, honestly.

I love these keto fries so much that I included them in my Wholesome Yum Easy Keto Carboholics’ Cookbook , packed with 100 easy keto recipes that will satisfy your carb cravings. Make them with me, and then tell me what you’re dipping them in first!

Maya's signature. - 2 Crispy keto french fries scattered on a white counter with one dunked in ketchup. - 3

“Just made these tonight for dinner. They were delicious!! We had them with turkey burgers and asparagus. So yummy! My husband loves them and wants them all the time with burgers. Even my picky son loves them.” –Holly

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Ingredients & Substitutions

Here I explain the best ingredients for my keto french fries, what each one does, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card .

  • Rutabagas – These round root veggies have a beige bottom and purple top, although sometimes I’ve seen them be kind of brownish all over. They’re usually near other root vegetables at my local grocery stores, and look a lot like turnips , except larger and with a tougher skin. Another difference is I often see turnips with the greens intact, whereas rutabaga always has them removed.
  • Avocado Oil – I’ve also used olive oil or even melted ghee.
  • Seasoning – I kept it simple with sea salt and black pepper , but feel free to add spices. Sometimes I add garlic powder, smoked paprika, dried herbs, or even a pinch of cayenne. Grated parmesan cheese also makes an amazing topping, similar to my garlic parmesan potato fries .
TIP: Add a teaspoon of baking powder to make your rutabaga fries extra crispy! - 4

TIP: Add a teaspoon of baking powder to make your rutabaga fries extra crispy!

Labeled recipe ingredients: Rutabaga, avocado oil, salt, and pepper. - 5

How I Cut Rutabaga For Keto Fries

Cutting the keto fries is the hardest part of this recipe, but don’t worry! The skin is thick, waxy, and tough, and the vegetable itself is hard, but it’s easy once you get the hang of it. Here’s the easiest way I’ve found to peel and cut:

  1. Chop off the ends. This helps the rutabaga sit flat on the cutting board, and gives you a starting point for peeling.
  2. Peel it. I use this veggie peeler , which swivels so well and is 100X sharper than my previous one. Highly recommend! A paring knife works, though.
  3. Slice into rounds. I aim for 1/4 inch thick.
  4. Cut into sticks. Now your low carb fries are ready for oil and seasoning!

Below is a picture of the steps above: the peeled veggie, the half circles, and the final cut rutabaga fries.

Showing how to cut rutabaga fries. - 6

How To Cook Keto French Fries

I have step-by-step photos here to help you visualize the recipe. For full instructions with amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card .

  1. Toss with oil and seasoning. In a big bowl, coat the rutabaga sticks with the avocado oil, sea salt, pepper, and any spices you want to use.
  2. Set up your baking rack. Place an oven-safe rack on a sheet pan ( I use this set ) and lay the fries out in a single layer. They get more crispy from the extra air flow.
  3. Bake in the oven until crispy. Pop them in the oven and bake until your keto french fries are golden and crisp on the outside, soft in the center. I’ve also cooked these rutabaga fries in the air fryer , which is faster. I have both options for you below!
Rutabaga fries on a baking sheet with a rack. - 7 Baked keto fries with a golden brown outside. - 8 My Tips For Peeling & Cutting - 9

My Tips For Peeling & Cutting

  • Smaller rutabagas are a little easier to peel. This is because their skin is less tough. I don’t like super small ones, though, because then the fries turn out too short.
  • If you have trouble getting leverage to peel, you can cut the rutabaga in half. This gives you more surface area against the counter while peeling.
  • If the skin is extra tough, slice into circles first and then peel those. I described this method in my roasted rutabaga recipe .
  • I stack the rounds and slice them all at once. You can do a few at a time if all feels unstable.
  • Cut the keto french fries to the same thickness. This is important so that they cook evenly.
  • Thickness will affect the baking time. I usually do 1/4 inch thick. I’ve also tried 3/8 inch and that works well, but takes longer in the oven.
  • More recently, I started using my french fry cutter after peeling. It saves me so much time, plus it’s fun to use!

Recipe Video

Ingredients

Tap underlined ingredients to see the ones I use.

  • 2 medium Rutabagas (~24 oz each) ▢
  • 1/4 cup Avocado oil ▢
  • 1 tsp Sea salt ▢
  • 1/4 tsp Black pepper ▢

Instructions

Tap on the times in the instructions to start a kitchen timer.

  1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (204 degrees C).
  2. Peel the rutabagas. Slice them into circles, 1/4-inch thick. Stack the circles and slice them into sticks, 1/4-inch wide.
  3. In a large bowl, toss the rutabaga sticks with avocado oil, sea salt, and black pepper.
  4. Place an oven safe rack onto a large baking sheet ( I use this set ). Arrange the fries in a single layer on the rack.
  5. Bake the keto french fries for 35-45 minutes , until they are soft on the inside and golden on the outside. Alternatively, you can cook the rutabaga fries in the air fryer for 15-20 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through. You’ll need to cook them in batches to avoid crowding.

Did You Like It?

Leave a rating to help other readers (this also helps me continue to provide free recipes on my site), or get the recipe sent to your inbox.

Maya’s Recipe Notes

Serving size: ~10 fries, or 1/8 of the entire recipe

  • Peeling & cutting tips: Check out peeling and cutting instructions , plus my tips to help make it easier.
  • Storage: Like regular ones, these keto fries are definitely best fresh, but if you have leftovers, keep them in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.
  • Meal prep: You can cut the rutabagas a couple of days in advance, and wrap in damp paper towels so they don’t dry out.
  • Reheat: You can use your oven or air fryer to crisp them up again, but I recommend 350 degrees F to avoid getting the fries to dark.
  • Freeze: I recommend baking the fries for at least 5-10 minutes before freezing. Then, freeze them on a parchment paper lined baking sheet until solid before transferring to a zip lock bag. They’ll keep in the freezer for 3-6 months, and you can bake or air fry them right from frozen.

📖 Want more recipes like this? Find this one and many more in my Easy Keto Carboholics’ Cookbook here !

I provide nutrition facts as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see my nutrition policy .

Add Your NotesYour Notes

© Copyright Maya Krampf for Wholesome Yum. Please DO NOT SCREENSHOT OR COPY/PASTE recipes to social media or websites. We’d LOVE for you to share a link with photo instead.

Keto French Fries

Crispy, golden keto fries in a basket. - 10

Serving Ideas

I’ve got plenty. Here are my favorite ways to enjoy these low carb french fries:

  • Dipping sauces – My favorites are spicy mayo and ranch , but you can’t go wrong with sugar-free ketchup (shown above), BBQ sauce , or even Big Mac sauce .
  • All the burgers – I’ve made these keto fries with all kinds of burgers, but they’re especially good with my crispy smash burgers or juicy beef burgers . When I want something lighter, try my air fryer turkey burgers or chicken burgers . They even hold up next to bold flavors like lamb burgers !
  • Childhood-inspired mains – My keto chicken nuggets , bacon-wrapped hot dogs , and low carb chicken tenders bring back nostalgia paired with these rutabaga fries. And even my own kids like them!
Keto fries recipe pin. - 11

Free Printable: Low Carb & Keto Food List

  • Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?
  • The Basic Keto Meal Formula
  • Understanding Macros
  • Keto Food Swaps
  • Keto Food List
  • Electrolyte Basics
  • Keto Diet Types
  • Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?
  • Recipe Reviews

Even though I have a great guide to starting a keto diet , people often ask me for a quick keto cheat sheet they can use. That’s why I created this simple keto diet cheat sheet , so that you can have all the info you need handy. We’ll cover the basic keto formula for building meals, foods to eat and to avoid, delicious keto swaps for high-carb foods, electrolyte basics, and 4 ways to follow the keto lifestyle.

You can keep reading to view this info, or download my keto cheat sheet printable pdf to print out or save ad-free on any device (plus the pdf has more details!).

Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?

Keto Cheat Sheet System - printable pdf's and ebooks - 12

Get all this information and MORE in convenient printer-friendly format – 13 cheat sheet pages you can take with you anywhere or keep in your kitchen, plus 4 recipe cookbooks! Includes:

  1. Keto food list (230+ foods) – Super detailed & color-coded, with net carb counts, so you’ll know exactly what to eat.
  2. Foods to avoid on keto – Detailed and specific list so that you know exactly what to watch out for.
  3. Macros cheat sheet – Explains everything you need to know about macros to succeed on keto.
  4. Keto food swaps (60+ foods) – Covers virtually every food you love, so you don’t have to miss out!
  5. Keto meal formula – With specific food ideas, so it’s easy to mix-and-match.
  6. Keto flu guide – Understand what it is and exactly how to avoid it.
  7. Electrolyte cheat sheet – With whole food ideas + bonus keto tips.
  8. Keto Diet Types – Summary of 4 ways to do keto, so you can choose what fits you best.
  9. FOUR (4!) Keto Swaps Recipe EBooks – Dozens of recipes to replace bread, rice, potatoes, pasta, desserts, and other carbs you’d otherwise miss.

Get The Printable Keto Cheat Sheet System + EBooks (Only $37)

The Basic Keto Meal Formula

Eating keto doesn’t have to be complicated! While there are plenty of delicious easy keto recipes to choose from, you don’t even have to cook from a recipe to get started.

Simply follow the keto cheat sheet formula of protein + veggie + fat for your meals.

Be sure to choose a moderate amount of protein, only low carb vegetables (mostly ones that grow above ground), and generous fat to attain an optimal macro ratio. That’s approximately 60-75% of calories from fat, 20-25% protein, and 5-10% from carbohydrates. The table below will give you ideas for what to choose.

Pick A ProteinPick A VeggieAdd Fat
Beef Chicken Pork Eggs Lamb Turkey Fish Shellfish Protein powder VenisonCauliflower Broccoli Zucchini Leafy Greens Cucumbers Brussels Sprouts Cabbage Asparagus Radishes Bell Peppers Jicama CeleryButter Avocado Oil Cheese Bacon Avocado Lard Ghee Mayo Nuts MCT Oil

Understanding Macros

Macros are macronutrients for short. They include fat, protein, and carbohydrates.

You can calculate your own macros using the macro calculator , but the macro keto cheat sheet below will explain how to look at macros when following a keto lifestyle.

Carbs Are A Limit.

Keeping carbs low is what gets you into ketosis and keeps you there. Ketosis means that you’re using fat as your primary energy source instead of sugar, and requires keeping carbs very low.

A good starting point is 20-25 grams net carbs per day, but you can experiment after a few weeks to see if your body stays in ketosis at higher levels. People who are very active may be able to do more and stay in ketosis, up to around 50 grams per day.

“Carbs are a limit” means that you set a limit for how many carbs to eat per day and don’t exceed it. You don’t have to hit that limit, so if you’re under that’s okay, just don’t go over. Ideally most of your carbs would come from low carb vegetables, and if you’re eating enough veggies, you’ll usually get close to the limit naturally.

A common misconception is that reaching ketosis requires a certain macro ratio, but it’s really only restricting your carb intake that gets you there [ * ]. In the absence of sufficient carbs to use as energy, the body will switch to using fat as fuel. This is called the metabolic state of ketosis.

Protein Is A Goal.

Protein is made up of amino acids, the building blocks of all our cells. It’s a crucial for keeping our muscles strong and for many cellular functions [ * ].

“Protein is a goal” means that you always want to eat enough protein to reach the goal each day, but not exceed it too much. You want enough for your needs, but excess protein can trigger gluconeogenesis, which is protein being converted to sugar [ * ] and can kick you out of ketosis.

Fat Is A Lever.

Fat is the primary macronutrient in a keto lifestyle, because being in ketosis means that fat is your primary fuel source. Fat as a fuel source will come from your food, and if you are losing weight, from your body.

A big advantage of a keto lifestyle is the high fat intake. It keeps you full and satisfied, making it easier to stick to, and using it as the primary fuel source makes it easier on your body to burn body fat, with a lower chance of breaking down your muscle (provided you get enough protein).

Aside from reaching your protein goal and limiting your carbs, the remainder of your calories on a keto diet comes from fat.

Don’t fear fat – it’s your main energy source on keto, and getting enough of it trains your body to use fat for fuel instead of sugar. That means that as long as you are not overdoing your overall calorie intake, you’ll efficiently burn your body fat for fuel as well.

“Fat is a lever” means that you can increase or decrease your fat intake depending on your goals and hunger levels. Increase it (along with exercise) to gain muscle, or decrease it to lose weight.

Keto Food Swaps

One of my favorite challenges is creating recipes, or just discovering, keto food swaps. These are delicious keto replacements for traditionally high-carb or high-sugar foods.

So, I created this keto diet cheat sheet with all the swaps in one place! I also have more keto food swaps in my Easy Keto Cookbook .

Keto Swaps For Breakfast

Instead Of This…Eat This
PancakesAlmond flour pancakes or coconut flour pancakes
OatmealKeto oatmeal with hemp seeds
Cinnamon rollsFathead cinnamon rolls
CerealKeto nut granola
MuffinsAlmond flour muffins or coconut flour muffins
DonutsAlmond flour donuts
SconesAlmond flour scones
High-sugar smoothiesSmoothie with berries or avocado
Hash brownsCauliflower hash browns
Breakfast casseroleBreakfast casserole with no potatoes
Egg whitesWhole eggs
Turkey baconBacon
WafflesChaffles
Keto food swaps - breakfast - 13

Keto Swaps For Bread

Instead Of This…Eat This
BagelsFathead bagels
English muffinAlmond flour English muffin
White breadKeto white bread
Multigrain breadCoconut flour bread with seeds
Tortillas for wrapsCoconut flour tortillas
Corn taco shellsCheddar cheese taco shells
Burger bunsOopsie rolls , portobello mushroom caps
BreadsticksCauliflower breadsticks
BiscuitsAlmond flour biscuits
CornbreadAlmond flour cornbread
CroutonsParmesan crisps
RiceCauliflower rice , konjac rice
Keto food swaps - bread and grains - 14

Keto Swaps For Meals & Side Dishes

Instead Of This…Eat This
Breaded wingsCrispy air fryer wings (unbreaded)
Low-fat meat & poultryHigh-fat cuts, or cook low-fat cuts with fat
Mashed potatoesMashed cauliflower
Roasted potatoesRoasted or fried radishes
TacosTaco salad
PizzaFathead crust , chicken crust , or cauliflower crust pizza
LasagnaEggplant lasagna
Potato saladCauliflower “potato” salad
French friesJicama , rutabaga , or zucchini fries
Tater totsCauliflower tots
WrapsLettuce wraps , almond flour tortillas
SushiNaruto-style or homemade rice-free sushi
Breaded chicken or fishBreaded cuts with almond flour or pork rinds
SpaghettiZoodles , spaghetti squash , shirataki noodles, kelp noodles
Keto food swaps - meals and sides - 15

Keto Swaps For Snacks & Sauces

Instead Of This…Eat This
NachosCheese crisps
High-sugar fruitBerries & other keto fruits
CrackersAlmond flour crackers
HummusCauliflower hummus
Soft pretzelsFathead pretzels
PopcornPuffed cheese
Granola barsGrain-free granola bars
JamSugar-free berry chia jam
Sweet fruity yogurtFull-fat plain Greek yogurt with berries
Sweet salad dressingRanch , blue cheese , or plain vinaigrette
KetchupMustard and/or sugar-free ketchup
BBQ sauceSugar-free BBQ sauce
Sweetened peanut butterNatural, sugar-free nut butters
Light mayoAvocado oil mayo
Maple syrupSugar-free, maple flavored syrup
Potato chipsZucchini chips , pepperoni chips , pork rinds
Keto food swaps - snacks and sauces - 16

Keto Swaps For Cooking & Baking

Instead Of This…Eat This
SugarMonk fruit or allulose
Powdered sugarPowdered monk fruit or allulose
White flourAlmond or Coconut flour (use in tested recipes)
Making baked goods soft/chewyXanthan gum, flax seed meal, psyllium husk powder
BreadcrumbsPork rinds or almond flour
MargarineButter, coconut oil, or ghee
Vegetable oilOlive or avocado oil
BananasBanana extract
Chocolate chipsSugar-free chocolate chips
Cornstarch or flour rouxXanthan gum or gelatin powder (used at the end)
Simple syrupDissolve monk fruit allulose blend in water over heat
Keto food swaps - baking and cooking - 17

Keto Swaps For Drinks

Instead Of This…Eat This
LemonadeWater with lemon
SodaFlavored sparkling water
MilkAlmond milk, coconut milk, heavy cream
LatteButter coffee
Coffee creamerHeavy cream
Sweet wineDry wine
BeerUltra light beer
Mixed drinksHard liquor with soda + lemon

If you’re looking specifically for keto alcohol options, browse the full keto alcohol guide .

Keto food swaps - drinks - 18

Keto Food List

When looking for a keto cheat sheet printable, the most-requested information is a keto food list.

The great thing is that keto doesn’t have to feel restrictive. It’s incredibly satisfying and there’s such a wide variety of foods you can eat!

Keto foods to eat and avoid summary - 19

Foods To Eat On Keto

  • Leafy greens – Such as spinach, chard, and lettuce.
  • Above-ground veggies – Such as peppers, zucchini, and cauliflower.
  • Full-fat cream & cheese – Such as heavy cream, sour cream, and full-fat hard cheeses.
  • Natural meats – Such as beef, lamb, and pork.
  • Berries – Such as raspberries, blackberries, and strawberries.
  • Avocados
  • Unsweetened nut milks – Such as almond milk and coconut milk.
  • Almond flour and coconut flour
  • Eggs
  • Healthy fats – Such as coconut oil, avocado oil, olive oil and butter.

Foods To Avoid On Keto

  • White flour & sugar
  • Rice & grains – Such as barley, wheat, and corn.
  • Milk & yogurt – Such as fruit on the bottom yogurt, sweetened Greek yogurt, and all milk.
  • Cereal
  • Processed food – Such as granola bars, candy
  • Most fruit – Such as apples, bananas, and grapes
  • Hydrogenated fats – Such as vegetable oil, soybean oil, and margarine
  • Sweetened beverages & condiments – Such as soda, ketchup, and sweet dressings
  • Starchy veggies – Such as peas, carrots, and beets.
  • Potatoes – Such as sweet potatoes and white potatoes.

That’s the short keto diet cheat sheet version of all the keto food categories, but I recommend downloading the full Keto Cheat Sheet System. It includes a super detailed printable keto food list with over 100 items, including 2 color-coded pages with net carb counts, along with 6 more pages of keto cheat sheets:

Keto Cheat Sheet System - printable pdf's and ebooks - 20

Get The Keto Cheat Sheet System PDF (Only $37)

Electrolyte Basics

Getting enough electrolytes is crucial for anyone, but especially so on a keto diet. The reason is that ketosis has a diuretic effect, which increases excretion of water and electrolytes, especially sodium [ * ]. This is often the cause of the keto flu.

For more details on electrolytes and avoiding keto flu, check out the full keto flu guide here .

The important thing to know about electrolytes is that replenishing them will keep keto flu away and keep your body functioning well. I always recommend an electrolyte drink and whole food sources of anything your body needs before resorting to supplements, so I made a list of what to eat to get each of the 3 major electrolytes – sodium, magnesium and potassium.

Here’s your keto diet cheat sheet for getting electrolytes from food:

SodiumMagnesiumPotassium
Bone broth Boullion cubes Bacon Salted nuts PicklesSeaweed Seeds Nuts Avocado Leafy greensPotassium chloride Avocado Bone broth Spinach Broccoli Mushrooms Beef Pork

Keto Diet Types

People follow a keto lifestyle for different reasons. Some do it just to lose weight, others are after better overall health, increased energy, and reduced inflammation.

Strictly speaking, the defining factor of a keto diet is the metabolic state of ketosis, which is achieved by restricting carbs. However, many people (myself included) also reduce or eliminate processed, inflammatory, or low-nutrient foods.

Below is your keto cheat sheet summary of the different ways that people follow keto. You choose what works best for your goals and lifestyle!

  • Strict Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, count all calories and macros, and eat clean, unprocessed foods.
  • Lazy Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, and track only net carbs OR eat keto foods without tracking.
  • Dirty Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, with “if it fits your macros” approach including processed foods.
  • Low Carb – Up to 50-100g net carbs daily, less strict.

For a more detailed listing of these different types of keto with pros and cons, grab the Easy Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF below!

Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?

Get all this information and MORE in convenient printer-friendly format – 13 cheat sheet pages you can take with you anywhere or keep in your kitchen, plus 4 recipe cookbooks! Includes:

  1. Keto food list (230+ foods) – Super detailed & color-coded, with net carb counts, so you’ll know exactly what to eat.
  2. Foods to avoid on keto – Detailed and specific list so that you know exactly what to watch out for.
  3. Macros cheat sheet – Explains everything you need to know about macros to succeed on keto.
  4. Keto food swaps (60+ swaps) – Covers virtually every food you love, so you don’t have to miss out!
  5. Keto meal formula – With specific food ideas, so it’s easy to mix-and-match.
  6. Keto flu guide – Understand what it is and exactly how to avoid it.
  7. Electrolyte cheat sheet – With whole food ideas + bonus keto tips.
  8. Keto Diet Types – Summary of 4 ways to do keto, so you can choose what fits you best.
  9. FOUR (4!) Keto Swaps Recipe EBooks – Dozens of recipes to replace bread, rice, potatoes, pasta, desserts, and other carbs you’d otherwise miss.
Keto Cheat Sheet System - printable pdf's and ebooks - 21

Get The Printable Keto Cheat Sheet System (75 pages, Only $37!)

Keto French Fries (Rutabaga Fries)

Keto french fries close up. - 22

My rutabaga fries make the best keto french fries! They’re crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and just 6g net carbs per serving.

Scan this QR code with your phone’s camera for the full recipe, including tips, step-by-step photos, and storage, or to save it to your account. You can also find it at: https://www.wholesomeyum.com/keto-rutabaga-fries-recipe/

Keto French Fries - 23 Keto French Fries - 24 Keto French Fries - 25 Keto French Fries - 26

Ingredients

  • 2 medium Rutabagas (~24 oz each)
  • 1/4 cup Avocado oil
  • 1 tsp Sea salt
  • 1/4 tsp Black pepper

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (204 degrees C).
  2. Peel the rutabagas. Slice them into circles, 1/4-inch thick. Stack the circles and slice them into sticks, 1/4-inch wide.
  3. In a large bowl, toss the rutabaga sticks with avocado oil, sea salt, and black pepper.
  4. Place an oven safe rack onto a large baking sheet ( I use this set ). Arrange the fries in a single layer on the rack.
  5. Bake the keto french fries for 35-45 minutes , until they are soft on the inside and golden on the outside. Alternatively, you can cook the rutabaga fries in the air fryer for 15-20 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through. You’ll need to cook them in batches to avoid crowding.

Maya’s Recipe Notes

Serving size: ~10 fries, or 1/8 of the entire recipe

  • Peeling & cutting tips: Check out peeling and cutting instructions , plus my tips to help make it easier.
  • Storage: Like regular ones, these keto fries are definitely best fresh, but if you have leftovers, keep them in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.
  • Meal prep: You can cut the rutabagas a couple of days in advance, and wrap in damp paper towels so they don’t dry out.
  • Reheat: You can use your oven or air fryer to crisp them up again, but I recommend 350 degrees F to avoid getting the fries to dark.
  • Freeze: I recommend baking the fries for at least 5-10 minutes before freezing. Then, freeze them on a parchment paper lined baking sheet until solid before transferring to a zip lock bag. They’ll keep in the freezer for 3-6 months, and you can bake or air fry them right from frozen.

📖 Want more recipes like this? Find this one and many more in my Easy Keto Carboholics’ Cookbook here !

I provide nutrition facts as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see my nutrition policy .

© Copyright Maya Krampf for Wholesome Yum. Please DO NOT SCREENSHOT OR COPY/PASTE recipes to social media or websites. We’d LOVE for you to share a link with photo instead. :)

Free Printable: Low Carb & Keto Food List

  • My Rutabaga Fries Make The Best Keto French Fries
  • Ingredients & Substitutions
  • How I Cut Rutabaga For Keto Fries
  • How To Cook Keto French Fries
  • My Tips For Peeling & Cutting
  • Keto French Fries (Rutabaga Fries) Recipe card
  • Serving Ideas
  • Recipe Reviews

My Rutabaga Fries Make The Best Keto French Fries

Maya with a bowl of rutabaga fries. - 27

Finding keto fries can be tough. Potatoes are certainly out of the question. And while I absolutely love zucchini fries and the texture of roasted rutabaga , I was missing the more traditional texture and form factor of regular potato ones. Enter these rutabaga fries! Here’s why they work so well:

  • The texture is everything – These are soft on the inside, crispy on the outside, and just the right thickness to feel like the real thing. The flavor is different — they taste like rutabaga! The sweetness reminds me of sweet potato fries , but they’re still less sweet than jicama fries .
  • Clean ingredients – No mystery oils or starchy fillers here. Just a real veggie, healthy fat, and simple seasoning. This is the cleaner, homemade kind of keto fast food .
  • Low carb and gluten free – These crispy keto french fries satisfy my cravings with just 6g net carbs per serving. Compare that to over 50 grams for regular ones!
  • Pairs with literally any main – I’ve served these with burgers , keto nuggets , even steak , and yes, they’re amazing dipped in keto ketchup . Or Big Mac sauce . Or anything, honestly.

I love these keto fries so much that I included them in my Wholesome Yum Easy Keto Carboholics’ Cookbook , packed with 100 easy keto recipes that will satisfy your carb cravings. Make them with me, and then tell me what you’re dipping them in first!

Maya's signature. - 28 Crispy keto french fries scattered on a white counter with one dunked in ketchup. - 29

“Just made these tonight for dinner. They were delicious!! We had them with turkey burgers and asparagus. So yummy! My husband loves them and wants them all the time with burgers. Even my picky son loves them.” –Holly

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Ingredients & Substitutions

Here I explain the best ingredients for my keto french fries, what each one does, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card .

  • Rutabagas – These round root veggies have a beige bottom and purple top, although sometimes I’ve seen them be kind of brownish all over. They’re usually near other root vegetables at my local grocery stores, and look a lot like turnips , except larger and with a tougher skin. Another difference is I often see turnips with the greens intact, whereas rutabaga always has them removed.
  • Avocado Oil – I’ve also used olive oil or even melted ghee.
  • Seasoning – I kept it simple with sea salt and black pepper , but feel free to add spices. Sometimes I add garlic powder, smoked paprika, dried herbs, or even a pinch of cayenne. Grated parmesan cheese also makes an amazing topping, similar to my garlic parmesan potato fries .
TIP: Add a teaspoon of baking powder to make your rutabaga fries extra crispy! - 30

TIP: Add a teaspoon of baking powder to make your rutabaga fries extra crispy!

Labeled recipe ingredients: Rutabaga, avocado oil, salt, and pepper. - 31

How I Cut Rutabaga For Keto Fries

Cutting the keto fries is the hardest part of this recipe, but don’t worry! The skin is thick, waxy, and tough, and the vegetable itself is hard, but it’s easy once you get the hang of it. Here’s the easiest way I’ve found to peel and cut:

  1. Chop off the ends. This helps the rutabaga sit flat on the cutting board, and gives you a starting point for peeling.
  2. Peel it. I use this veggie peeler , which swivels so well and is 100X sharper than my previous one. Highly recommend! A paring knife works, though.
  3. Slice into rounds. I aim for 1/4 inch thick.
  4. Cut into sticks. Now your low carb fries are ready for oil and seasoning!

Below is a picture of the steps above: the peeled veggie, the half circles, and the final cut rutabaga fries.

Showing how to cut rutabaga fries. - 32

How To Cook Keto French Fries

I have step-by-step photos here to help you visualize the recipe. For full instructions with amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card .

  1. Toss with oil and seasoning. In a big bowl, coat the rutabaga sticks with the avocado oil, sea salt, pepper, and any spices you want to use.
  2. Set up your baking rack. Place an oven-safe rack on a sheet pan ( I use this set ) and lay the fries out in a single layer. They get more crispy from the extra air flow.
  3. Bake in the oven until crispy. Pop them in the oven and bake until your keto french fries are golden and crisp on the outside, soft in the center. I’ve also cooked these rutabaga fries in the air fryer , which is faster. I have both options for you below!
Rutabaga fries on a baking sheet with a rack. - 33 Baked keto fries with a golden brown outside. - 34 My Tips For Peeling & Cutting - 35

My Tips For Peeling & Cutting

  • Smaller rutabagas are a little easier to peel. This is because their skin is less tough. I don’t like super small ones, though, because then the fries turn out too short.
  • If you have trouble getting leverage to peel, you can cut the rutabaga in half. This gives you more surface area against the counter while peeling.
  • If the skin is extra tough, slice into circles first and then peel those. I described this method in my roasted rutabaga recipe .
  • I stack the rounds and slice them all at once. You can do a few at a time if all feels unstable.
  • Cut the keto french fries to the same thickness. This is important so that they cook evenly.
  • Thickness will affect the baking time. I usually do 1/4 inch thick. I’ve also tried 3/8 inch and that works well, but takes longer in the oven.
  • More recently, I started using my french fry cutter after peeling. It saves me so much time, plus it’s fun to use!

Recipe Video

Ingredients

Tap underlined ingredients to see the ones I use.

  • 2 medium Rutabagas (~24 oz each) ▢
  • 1/4 cup Avocado oil ▢
  • 1 tsp Sea salt ▢
  • 1/4 tsp Black pepper ▢

Instructions

Tap on the times in the instructions to start a kitchen timer.

  1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (204 degrees C).
  2. Peel the rutabagas. Slice them into circles, 1/4-inch thick. Stack the circles and slice them into sticks, 1/4-inch wide.
  3. In a large bowl, toss the rutabaga sticks with avocado oil, sea salt, and black pepper.
  4. Place an oven safe rack onto a large baking sheet ( I use this set ). Arrange the fries in a single layer on the rack.
  5. Bake the keto french fries for 35-45 minutes , until they are soft on the inside and golden on the outside. Alternatively, you can cook the rutabaga fries in the air fryer for 15-20 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through. You’ll need to cook them in batches to avoid crowding.

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Maya’s Recipe Notes

Serving size: ~10 fries, or 1/8 of the entire recipe

  • Peeling & cutting tips: Check out peeling and cutting instructions , plus my tips to help make it easier.
  • Storage: Like regular ones, these keto fries are definitely best fresh, but if you have leftovers, keep them in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.
  • Meal prep: You can cut the rutabagas a couple of days in advance, and wrap in damp paper towels so they don’t dry out.
  • Reheat: You can use your oven or air fryer to crisp them up again, but I recommend 350 degrees F to avoid getting the fries to dark.
  • Freeze: I recommend baking the fries for at least 5-10 minutes before freezing. Then, freeze them on a parchment paper lined baking sheet until solid before transferring to a zip lock bag. They’ll keep in the freezer for 3-6 months, and you can bake or air fry them right from frozen.

📖 Want more recipes like this? Find this one and many more in my Easy Keto Carboholics’ Cookbook here !

I provide nutrition facts as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see my nutrition policy .

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Keto French Fries

Crispy, golden keto fries in a basket. - 36

Serving Ideas

I’ve got plenty. Here are my favorite ways to enjoy these low carb french fries:

  • Dipping sauces – My favorites are spicy mayo and ranch , but you can’t go wrong with sugar-free ketchup (shown above), BBQ sauce , or even Big Mac sauce .
  • All the burgers – I’ve made these keto fries with all kinds of burgers, but they’re especially good with my crispy smash burgers or juicy beef burgers . When I want something lighter, try my air fryer turkey burgers or chicken burgers . They even hold up next to bold flavors like lamb burgers !
  • Childhood-inspired mains – My keto chicken nuggets , bacon-wrapped hot dogs , and low carb chicken tenders bring back nostalgia paired with these rutabaga fries. And even my own kids like them!
Keto fries recipe pin. - 37